Málaga CF and CD Castellón faced off on matchday 17 of LaLiga HYPERMOTION on a sunny 1st December at 14:00 (SkyFi Castalia).
Sergio Pellicer set up the following starting line-up: A. Herrero; Puga, Pastor, Nelson, Víctor; Luismi, Manu Molina, Larrubia, Yanis; Lobete, and Castel.
The match got off to a dynamic start. In the early stages, the hosts tried to impose their game with very vertical transitions, but Pellicer's team managed to defend well against the attacks and also responded with wing play and midfield transitions.
Alfonso Herrero made a crucial save in the 15th minute, diverting a dangerous low shot with the fingertips that was heading for the far post.
Málaga CF responded in the 19th minute from a corner. Manu Molina delivered a well-placed ball into the heart of the area, where Pastor rose above the Castellón defenders to meet it with a header. However, the effort sailed just inches over the crossbar.
Herrero was again the star in the 24th minute, making a spectacular save by literally getting his fingertips to a powerful and precise shot taken from just outside the box, pushing it out of the top corner.
However, just one minute later, there was little he could do against a fantastic strike from Van den Belt. The Dutch player collected the ball just outside the area and calmly beat Herrero with a low shot past the Malaguista defence (1-0, 25’).
The Blue and Whites, wearing purple on this occasion, managed to overcome the home side's pressure as the minutes went by, increasing their incursions into the opponent's half. With great activity, particularly on both wings, they finished the first half pressing hard on the opposing goal, although they were unable to score. The match went into the break with a 1-0 scoreline.
The second half started off more evenly. Castellón didn't stop looking for spaces, but the Málaga players made it even more difficult for them. Pellicer's team tried to impose order in the second half, but in a swift counterattack, the hosts doubled their lead in the 72nd minute. Bosilj finished at the far post after a vertical transition that was reviewed by VAR for a potential offside. Ultimately, the video assistant referee confirmed the attacker was onside, and the goal was allowed, making it 2-0.
In the final stages, Málaga CF tried to find a way back into the game but were unable to find the target in the opposition's area. The final score of 2-0 leaves Málaga CF in the middle of the table with 22 points. Next up they will face an Andalusian derby against UD Almería at La Rosaleda.